Ambassadors from each discipline are chosen for their leadership skills by their chairs and directors. This academic year's WCHHS Ambassadors are:

Lynsey Daughtry, department of Occupational Therapy

Jeremy Griffy, department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Brenna Ishler, School of Social Work

Thomas Mitchell, Doctor of Physical Therapy program

Kelley Tuennermann, School of Nursing

Initiated five years ago, the ambassador program offers outstanding students an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while learning more about health and human services. Ambassadors are involved in Waldron College events, meet with experts and dignitaries in the health-care field, maintain communication with chairs and directors and build on their knowledge of how to interact as an interdisciplinary team member in various health professions.

"We see these students as future leaders in their disciplines," said Associate Dean Corey Cassidy."They provide a student viewpoint that is valuable and they gain additional mentoring and leadership experience."

WCHHS ambassadors serve as student representatives for the college at recruiting activities like Highlander Days and at its alumni and professional functions.

Griffy, a graduate student from Clarksville, Tenn., comes to the COSD program from a stint as a high school Spanish teacher and aspires to be a bilingual speech-language pathologist. He said, "It is important to share the profession and my program with incoming students and the community."

Mitchell, who earned degrees in business and biology, was inspired to become a physical therapist during his time volunteering with a local hospice organization and is serving as an ambassador for the DNP program for the third consecutive year.

"We are in a giving field," he said. "So it is an honor to give back."

Tuennermann, a senior nursing student from Middlebrook, Va., recognizes the interdisciplinary opportunity as a chance to expand her horizons in the "dynamic" medical field, while Ishler, a senior from Frostburg, Md., is eager to step out and talk about her program.

"The School of Social Work is a great program that is helping empower people with skills and tools to face challenges. It will be a pleasure to share that with new students who are looking for a way to make a difference," she said.

Radford University is a comprehensive public university of more than 9,900 students. RU serves the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation through a wide range of academic, cultural, human service, and research programs. Well known for its strong faculty/student bonds, innovative use of technology in the learning environment and vibrant student life on a beautiful 191-acre American classical campus, Radford University offers students many opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. The university offers 69 degree programs at the undergraduate level, and 21 master's programs and three doctoral programs at the graduate level. A Division I member of the NCAA and Big South Athletic Conference, Radford participates in 19 varsity sports—11 for women and eight for men. Since 2005, the university has secured approval and funding for nearly $300 million in capital projects, including both new construction and renovation.